NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) has directed all states and Union Territories to intensify action against inter-state human trafficking and bonded labour, following mounting concerns over slow progress in rehabilitation efforts.
In a government order issued on September 25, Secretary Vandana Gurnani instructed all Chief Secretaries to constitute vigilance committees in every district and sub-division to track bonded and child labour cases.
States have also been asked to submit proposals for immediate financial assistance to rescued labourers within three months of issuing release certificates.
The directive follows a Supreme Court order of November 22, 2024, which asked MoLE to consult with states to simplify procedures for identifying and rehabilitating bonded labourers.
This is the second such directive since December 2024, after the Centre expressed dissatisfaction with the states’ progress. “However, not much progress seems to have been made,” the order observed.
MoLE oversees the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, and implements the “Rehabilitation of Bonded Labour-2021” scheme, which provides compensation of `30,000 and rehabilitation grants of `1 lakh for men and `2 lakh for women.
NCRB data for 2023 shows forced labour (23,520 cases) as the largest human trafficking crime, followed by sexual exploitation (17,944). Maharashtra, Telangana, and Odisha reported the highest cases.
Dr Tina Kuriakose Jacob of the International Institute for Migration Development termed the order “a step toward systematic review and monitoring to protect the poorest and most vulnerable workers.”